London: Pimlico parish achieves LiveSimply Award

Judy Ann Masters and Canon Pat Browne

Holy Apostles in Pimlico has become the nineteenth parish in England and Wales, and the third in Westminster Diocese, to be awarded the LiveSimply parish award for its commitment to live more simply and sustainably and in solidarity with the world's poor.

The LiveSimply Award, a national prize for Catholic parishes putting their faith into action, requires three substantial actions, then, at least six other initiatives. In addition, they must show that the programme is sustainable, with the setting of targets and good engagement with the whole congregation. Assessors Ellen Teague (Columban JPIC) and Jon Stricklin-Coutinho (CAFOD Diocesan Manager for Westminster) visited on 15 April and were shown around the church and grounds by the parish pastoral co-ordinator Judy Ann Masters, seeing parish work towards the Award since official registration in December 2013. The parish priest, Canon Pat Browne, told the assessors how the parish is kept involved though parish newsletters and the website, noticeboards and homilies. Priest in residence, Argentinian Fr Augusto Zampini Davies, also focuses strongly on Justice and Peace in his homilies, addressing such topics as Climate Change.

A properly labelled and managed recycling system has been set up on church premises, with posters and information about recycling displayed. The church lighting has been changed to low-energy light bulbs and the energy efficiency of parish buildings improved, particularly installing double glazing throughout the parish hall. There is also a link to a local 'green electricity' project. Holy Apostles is an extremely active beacon Fairtrade Parish, with all beverages fairly traded products and posters inform visitors of this. The parish has hosted several major 'Fairtrade' meetings in recent years to inspire other parishes to get involved. There is significant greenery around the premises and all well maintained, demonstrating to passers-by that the Church cares for the environment.

The parish supports a local 'Foodbanks' project, including collecting food in the parish for distribution, and the hall is open for homeless people to sleep overnight in winter months. It offers very active support to London Citizens' advocacy and projects, such as Safe Havens for young people and the Living Wage campaign. There is a big drive in the parish to ensure that everyone votes in the May General Election. Key advocacy campaigns of organisations such as CAFOD, Pax Christi and Housing Justice are supported. Nearly 50 different parish projects with a social justice focus include dementia outreach to the elderly and 'mini-vinnies' SVP work with children in the local Catholic primary school. The parish invited CAFOD in for a weekend with the Confirmation Group focusing on solidarity with wider world issues. There is regular educational and reflective work on Catholic Social Teaching and discerning what it means to live sustainably in the world and according to Gospel values.

Jon Stricklin-Coutinho wrote to the parish this week: "The assessors were very impressed with the parish's commitment to social justice and outreach into the surrounding community. The numerous examples given include the parish's commitment to Fairtrade, the Homeless project, working in partnership with London Citizens, and many others. Holy Apostles is a beacon of the community and demonstrates very strongly your commitment to living in solidarity with others. We would encourage you to celebrate and to share with others the good work you are doing, as yours is an example which others might hope to follow." There will be a formal presentation of the award to the parish in due course, with dates and details to be confirmed. The parish will receive a Livesimply plaque, which is made from the wood of a recycled church pew.

For more information on LiveSimply see: www.livesimplyaward.org.uk

Visit Holy Apostles website: www.holyapostlespimlico.org